Jon Bon Jovi did not like the original recording of this song, which can be found as a hidden track on "100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong". Richie Sambora convinced him the song was good, and they reworked it and included it on their "Slippery When Wet" album. It spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. and two weeks at number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks. It also hit number four on the UK singles chart. In 2006., online voters rated 'Livin' On A Prayer' #1 on VH1's "list of The 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s".
When Bon Jovi play this song in concert, they frequently end it with the guitar riff from Derek and the Dominos' version of 'Little Wing'.
Livin' on a Prayer
Bon Jovi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love
She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot"
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's okay, someday"
We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh
The song "Livin' On A Prayer" by Bon Jovi tells the story of two young individuals, Tommy and Gina, who are struggling to make ends meet. Tommy used to work on the docks, but due to the union strike, he lost his job, and now he is struggling to make ends meet. On the other hand, Gina works as a waitress at the diner, trying to make money to support their love. The two are deeply in love and are focused on holding onto each other during their tough times.
The song speaks to the idea that love and companionship are what truly matter in life, even when everything else seems to be falling apart. The chorus of the song, "Whoa, we're halfway there. Whoa oh, living on a prayer. Take my hand, and we’ll make it, I swear. Whoa oh, living on a prayer," is a call to hold onto each other tightly, to keep striving forward and pushing through the tough times together.
In summary, "Livin' On A Prayer" is a story of resilience, love, and determination. It tells the trials and tribulations of two young lovers who have each other, and that love and companionship are what make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time, not so long ago
In the past, not too far back from the present.
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
Tommy used to be employed on the docks but the union is on strike.
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Due to unfortunate circumstances, he is having a difficult time.
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
Gina works at the diner all day, for her partner.
She brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love
She works hard to bring home money to support their relationship.
She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got
She encourages them to preserve what they already have.
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
It will not matter if they are successful or not.
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
They have each other and that is valuable.
We'll give it a shot"
They will make an effort to try and succeed.
Whoa, we're half way there
They have made significant progress.
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Their situation reliant on luck and hope.
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
He promises to help her through their tough situation.
Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
Tommy has pawned his guitar and is keeping his feelings to himself.
When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough
At one point he would play his guitar confidently, but now things have changed.
Gina dreams of running away
Gina wants to leave and escape from their situation.
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
When Gina is upset, Tommy comforts her quietly.
"Baby, it's okay, someday"
He reassures her that things will get better in the future.
Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not
They must hold on, whether they are prepared or not.
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
All they can do is continue to fight for what they have.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, Richard S. Sambora
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@refferson4470
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
Hes down on his luck
It's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love, for love
She says: "We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love, we'll give it a shot"
whoa, we're half way there
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Tommy got his six string in hock
Now, he's holding in what he used
To make it talk
So tough, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers: "Baby, it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love, we'll give it a shot"
Oh, we're half way there
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Living on a prayer
We've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Oh, we're half way there
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh living on a prayer
whoa, half way there
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
whoah, we're half way there
Whoah, living on a prayer
@vanilsonfelix4543
LETRA:
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
He's down on his luck
It's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love, for love
She says, we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Livin' on a prayer
Tommy got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk, so tough
It's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night Tommy whispers
Baby it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
We've got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Livin' on a prayer
We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Livin' on a prayer
@derdoctor99
Lyrics:
Once upon a time, not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love
She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot"
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's okay, someday"
We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh
@alexthegrape1000
Woah, we're halfway there!
Woah, lemon on a pear!
Woah, we're halfway there!
Woah, Lincoln on a bear!
Woah, we're halfway there!
Woah, the fresh prince of Bel Air
Woah, we're halfway there!
Woah, kitten on a stair!
Woah, we're halfway there!
Woah, wizard at a fair!
@fractaldimension4886
[[[02:46 02:55]]]
00:03 [00:14 00:18 00:20] 00:21 [00:31]
[00:38 00:43]
[02:40 02:44 02:46] 02:48 02:52 [[02:55 02:59]] 03:04
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck
It's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay for love
Mmm, for love
She says, "We've gotta hold on / to what we've got
It doesn't make-a difference if we make it or not
We got each other, and that's a lot for love
We'll give-it-a shot"
Whoa, we're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's got his six-string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, ooh, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's okay, someday
We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other, and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot"
Oh, we're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Woah-oh, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Ooh, we gotta hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa-oh, livin' on a prayer
@ZuzuMajewska
Once upon a time, not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love
She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot"
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's okay, someday"
We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh
@user-xy7vy7ny6n
(Once upon a time, not so long ago)
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck
It's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love, for love
She says: We've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love, we'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're halfway there
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Tommy's got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
Baby, it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love, we'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're halfway there
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Living on a prayer
Ooh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Whoa, we're halfway there
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Whoa, we're halfway there
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Whoa, we're halfway there
Oh-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand
@anneashley739
Tommy used to work on the docks,union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the dinner all day working for her man
She brings home her pay,for love,for love
She says, we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's got his six-string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
Baby, it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've got to hold on,ready or not
You live for the night when it's all that you've got
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
@melmiller6074
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer Lyrics:
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
He's down on his luck
It's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man
She brings home her pay for love
For love
She says: We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love -
We'll give it a shot
Wooah
We're half way there
Woah-oh
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it
I swear, livin' on a prayer
Tommy got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers: Baby
It's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love -
We'll give it a shot
Wooah
We're half way there
Woah-oh
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Woah-oh
Livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
We've got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
Wooah
We're half way there
Woah-oh
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Woah-oh
Livin' on a prayer
Wooah
We're half way there
Woah-oh
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Woah-oh
Livin' on a prayer
Wooah
We're half way there
Written by: Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, Richard Sambora
Album: This Left Feels Right
Released: 2003
Lyrics provided by Musixmatch
@TCelyneDian
Let's sing along
Once upon a time, not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love
She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot"
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's okay, someday"
We've gotta hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoa oh
@dilminha9649
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck
It's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love, for love
She says: We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love, we'll give it a shot
Oh, we're halfway there
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Tommy's got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night Tommy whispers
Baby, it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love, we'll give it a shot
Oh, we're halfway there
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Living on a prayer
We've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Oh, we're halfway there
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Oh, halfway there
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh, oh, living on a prayer
Oh, we're halfway there
Woah, living on a prayer
@lababypink863
Once upon a time not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
She says, we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's got his six-string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
Baby, it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
💕💕💕
@classicrockplaylist888
Who’s here in 2024?
@inisaya3665
☝️
@ilkku239
Me
@ondrejgaluska8735
Me
@linanovaya
Me
@tesl-iw6hu
Me
@caseyco21707
If you're not born in this era but love this kind of music, welcome to the club.
@joxgi1877
This music has a complete different vibe
@mrmusic2291
Thanks😂
@heidygalan5704
Best music ever!!!